Guinea - junta
Junta says it wants elections as soon as possible
Article published on the 2009-12-23 Latest update 2009-12-23 16:29 TU
Guinea's interim leader General Sékouba Konaté
(Photo: Seyllou/AFP)
"My dear brothers in arms, today our concern, for everybody, remains to lead (the nation) at the earliest possible date... to elections, the first free and democratic elections in our history," he told troops at the junta headquarters.
"That is the concern of the Guinean people, that is our mission. Nothing and nobody... can distract or distance us from this ideal.
"This is the place and the time to reaffirm with force our desire, mine and that of my companions, to help the Guinean people choose their leaders through free and democratic elections."
Konate, who serves as defence minister in the junta, is the interim leader following the assassination attempt on junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara on December 3.
Camara remains in hospital in Morocco, but the junta claims that he is makjing a recovery and intends to return to Conakry as soon as possible. Both France and the United States have said they fear Camara's return could spark a civil war.
Camara led the bloodless coup a year ago that saw the army seize power just hours after the death of long-standing ruler Lansana Conte.
Pressure is rising, however, from the international community for alleged crimes against humanity.
A UN report published on Monday alleges that Guinean soldiers massacred at least 156 protesters in a Conakry stadium last September. Hundreds of others were wounded and soldiers also systematically raped women and young girls.
On Tuesday, the European Union agreed to impose tougher sanctions against the junta by imposing a freeze on all funds and economic resources known to belong to its members.
The bloc also banned any supplies to Guinea of equipment that could be used for purposes of internal repression.
Guinea
